g lady's people to withdraw their consent to the
marriage."

The young baronet shook his head. "My personal honour is as yet
unstained," said he. "I have little else left, but that, at least, I
will preserve."

"Well, well, it is a nice dilemma, and the choice lies with you."

"Have you no other suggestion?"

"You don't happen to have property in Australia?"

"None."

"But you have capital?"

"Yes."

"Then you could buy some. To-morrow morning would do. A thousand
mining shares would be enough. Then you might write to say that urgent
business affairs have compelled you to start at an hour's notice to
inspect your property. That would give you six months, at any rate."

"Well, that would be possible. Yes, certainly, it would be possible.
But think of her position. The house full of wedding presents--guests
coming from a distance. It is awful. And you say that there is no
alternative."

The doctor shrugged his shoulders.

"Well, then, I might write it now, and start to-morrow--eh? Perhaps
you would let me use your desk. Thank you. I am so sorry to keep you
from your guests so long. But I won't be a moment now."

He wrote an abrupt note of a few lines. Then with a sudden impulse he
tore it to shreds and flung it into the fireplace.

"No, I can't sit down and tell her a lie, doctor," he said rising. "We
must find some other way out of this. I will think it over and let you
know my decision. You must allow me to double your fee as I have taken
such an unconscionable time. Now good-bye, and thank you a thousand
times for your sympathy and advice."

"Why, dear me, you haven't even got your prescription yet. This is the
mixture, and I should recommend one of these powders every morning, and
the chemist will put all directions upon the ointment box. You are
placed in a cruel situation, but I trust that these may be but passing
clouds. When may I hope to hear from you again?"

"To-morrow morning."

"Very good. How the rain is splashing in the street! You have your
waterproof there. You will need it. Good-bye, then, until to-morrow."

He opened the door. A gust of cold, damp air swept into the hall. And
yet the doctor stood for a minute or more watching the lonely figure
which passed slowly through the yellow splotches of the gas lamps, and
into the broad bars of darkness between. It was but his own shadow
which trailed up the wall as he passed the lights, and yet it looked to
th